Prof. Tamir Sheafer

Prof. Tamir Sheafer is a distinguished professor in the Departments of Political Science and Communication & Journalism and serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research primarily explores the interplay between media and politics, focusing on two key areas.

The first area involves an actor-centred analysis of the political communication arena, examining how politicians' characteristics, such as charisma and political personalisation, influence their performance and the broader political landscape. His notable contributions include conceptualisations and operationalisations of political personalisation and charismatic skills.

The second area of his research centres on frame building in the international arena, particularly in the context of mediated public diplomacy. Prof. Sheafer has made significant contributions to understanding proximity between international actors and its role in frame building, as well as the dynamics of frame contests and proximity in international relations.

Prof. Sheafer employs a quantitative, comparative methodological approach, utilising large-scale automated content analysis and 'big data' techniques. He is an active member of the editorial boards of prominent journals, including Political Communication, Public Opinion Quarterly, and The International Journal of Public Opinion Research. His extensive research has been published in leading journals across communication, political science, and international relations fields.

Prof. Tamir Sheafer is the Rector of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he holds dual appointments in the Departments of Political Science and Communication & Journalism. In his role as Rector, Prof. Sheafer is responsible for the academic and administrative leadership of the university, overseeing academic policy, faculty appointments, and the development of new academic programs. His interdisciplinary expertise allows him to bridge the gap between political science and communication, enriching the academic environment with his diverse insights.

Prof. Tamir Sheafer was born and raised in Israel. His academic journey began with a passion for understanding political systems and the role of media in shaping public opinion. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Political Science and Communication at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he excelled and laid the foundation for his future academic pursuits.

Prof. Sheafer continued his education at The Hebrew University, obtaining a Master’s degree in Political Science. His thesis, which focused on the intersection of media and politics, garnered attention for its innovative approach and insightful analysis. He then went on to complete his PhD at the same institution, further solidifying his expertise in the fields of political communication and public opinion.

Prof. Sheafer began his academic career as a lecturer in the Department of Communication & Journalism at The Hebrew University. His dynamic teaching style and rigorous research quickly earned him recognition among students and colleagues alike. Over the years, he has held various academic and administrative positions, culminating in his current role as Rector.

In his dual roles, Prof. Sheafer has been instrumental in bridging the gap between political science and communication studies. He has developed interdisciplinary courses that highlight the symbiotic relationship between media and politics, preparing students to navigate and analyse the complexities of the modern political landscape.

Research and Publications: Prof. Tamir Sheafer's extensive body of work is widely recognised in the academic community. His research has been published in some of the most prestigious journals in the fields of political science and communication. These include Communication Research, Journal of Communication, Political Communication, and Public Opinion Quarterly. Additionally, his studies have appeared in The International Journal of Public Opinion Research, International Journal of Press/Politics, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Comparative Political Studies, Political Psychology, Journal of Peace Research, and Journalism. Through these publications, Prof. Sheafer has made significant contributions to understanding the intricate dynamics of media and politics, political personalisation, and international frame-building. Some of his notable publications include:

• A Weakly Supervised and Deep Learning Method for an Additive Topic Analysis of Large Corpora
• Strategy news is good news: How journalistic coverage of politics reduces affective polarisation. 
• A fine-grained analysis of diversity levels in the news.
• Role-based association of verbs, actions, and sentiments with entities in political discourse. 
• Clause analysis: Using syntactic information to automatically extract source, subject, and predicate from texts with an application to the 2008-2009 Gaza War. 

His work often explores the impact of media on political behaviour and the role of communication in democratic processes. Prof. Sheafer’s research is highly regarded for its methodological rigour and relevance to contemporary political issues.

Editorial Roles: In recognition of his expertise and influence in his fields of study, Prof. Sheafer holds several prominent editorial positions. He serves on the editorial boards of Political Communication, Public Opinion Quarterly, and The International Journal of Public Opinion Research. Additionally, he contributes to Media Frames (in Hebrew). These roles not only reflect his standing in the academic community but also enable him to shape and guide future research in political communication and related areas. His editorial work ensures the ongoing dissemination and discussion of high-quality research, further cementing his impact on the fields of political science and communication.

Awards and Recognition: Throughout his career, Prof. Sheafer has received numerous awards and honours in recognition of his academic excellence and contributions to his fields of study. Some of his notable accolades include:

• Top Paper Award, International Communication Association, Computational Methods Interest Group (Prague, 2018, with Yair Fogel-Dror and Shaul Shenhav)
• CQ Press Award for best legislative studies paper presented at the 2016 APSA Annual Meeting (2017, with Lior Sheffer, Stefaan Walgrave, Stuart Soroka, and Peter Lowen)
• Article of the Year Award, Keith R. Sanders and Lynda Lee Kaid Best Political Communication Article of the Year Award, International Communication Association, Political Communication Division (2014, Seattle, with Gadi Wolfsfeld and Elad Segev)
• Top Paper Award, International Communication Association, Political Communication Division (2005, New York, with Gideon Rahat)
• Dissertation Awarded with the Grade of “Summa cum Laude” (2001, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

Prof. Sheafer is also a sought-after speaker at international conferences and symposia, where he shares his expertise and engages with scholars from around the world.

As Rector of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Prof. Sheafer is committed to advancing the institution's academic mission and fostering a vibrant intellectual community. He is currently involved in several initiatives to enhance research opportunities, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and support student success.

In addition to his administrative duties, Prof. Sheafer continues to teach and mentor students, inspiring the next generation of scholars in political science and communication. His ongoing research projects include studies on the impact of social media on political mobilisation and the role of journalism in shaping public discourse.

Prof. Tamir Sheafer’s dedication to academia and his significant contributions to the fields of political science and communication make him a distinguished figure in both disciplines. His work continues to influence scholars, students, and policymakers, underscoring the vital interplay between media and politics in contemporary society.

Prof. Tamir Sheafer envisions fostering interdisciplinary research excellence and advancing societal impact through innovative approaches in political science and communication. His vision includes nurturing a collaborative academic environment at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem that promotes critical thinking, ethical leadership, and global engagement in addressing contemporary challenges.